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Post-Gazette beat writers Dejan Kovacevic and Chuck Finder blog about the Pittsburgh Baseball Club.

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Rainbow over Miami

By Dejan Kovacevic | 7:58 p.m. Friday

MIAMI -- This just happened about five minutes ago ...

Feel free to use this, in light of all the delays and the clogged regular thread, for more on the game. Or not. It's up to you. I just work here.


Posted Jul 03 2009, 07:58 PM by Dejan Kovacevic

Comments

Eight was Great! wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 8:42 PM

And DK says he's not a photographer!

JAL wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:16 PM

DK thanks

JAL wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:18 PM

Long time to get a post to appear

JAL wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:20 PM

Buc fn Ct asked for them to break open the games and they seem to have done that.

wakerider429 wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:20 PM

JAL,

Do you really count the pitchers as threats for home runs?  The Pirates got home runs from their most unlikely position players tonight.  Even though the way Morton is pitching they might not need them.  He actually has the look of a solid number 2 starter in this league.

buc_fan_in_CT wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:20 PM

Jeez....they need a stadium for themselves. That looks awful b/c there are so many empty seats out in the outfield.

buc_fan_in_CT wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:22 PM

JAL

They seem to come through when i say something like that lol.

JAL wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:22 PM

Anyone notice something missing in DK's picture?  Fans--not many to be seen

JAL wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:23 PM

Wake

You said most unlikely players, not position players--and yes, pitchers bat and pitchers hit home runs--couple of Pirate pitchers have done so this year..

JAL wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:27 PM

Wake

If you just want position players--I would expect a home run from Moss before Cutch, Wilson, Jones, and Jaramillo.

wakerider429 wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:28 PM

I guess the Pirate's pitchers wouldn't be so unlikely then since they have a couple.  Considering Moss and Vasquez have a combined 3.

buc_fan_in_CT wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:28 PM

Oh boy, thank god we got those last couple of runs. Otherwise this would be getting way to close for my liking.

wakerider429 wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:29 PM

I wonder if the Marlins will attract more fans once they move from the middle of nowhere to a baseball only stadium downtown.  I always thought Florida was big on baseball, but we'll have to see.

geowes wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:29 PM

NOW we could use the RAIN!

buc_fan_in_CT wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:30 PM

Anyone know if there is any activity in the pen right now. Might need to get Hanrahan out soon.

DMac wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:32 PM

Oops...thanks, DK.  BEAUTIFUL photo too!  It's a double rainbow...there's a fainter one just to the left.  :-)

Hanrahan is on to pitch for the Pirates.

3-0 count to Hermida.  Then the Autostrike, ( (c) Sir L)  Grounds the next one to 1st.  Adam fields and throws to Hanrahan for the out.  1 away.

Uggla swings and misses, strike 1.  Next pitch misses, 1-1.  Misses again, 2-1.  Fouled away and the count evens at 2.  Low, ball 3...3-2 count.  SWING and miss for strike 3.  2 away.

Ross takes a ball, 1-0.  Fly ball to R-CF.  AMac makes the long run.  He gets there, but he just misses the ball and Ross is in at 2nd with a double.  

Baker looks at a called strike, 0-1.  Fly ball to LF.  It's off the wall.  Ross will score and Baker is in at 2nd.

Ross Gload is PH-ing for LeRoux.  He takes strike 1.  He drops the next one into RF for a single.  Baker scores.

Coghlan takes ball 1.  Takes a strike at the knees, 1-1.  Inside, ball 2...2-1.  Catches the outside corner, 2-2.  Just misses, and he checks is swing, 3-2 count.  And it's low, ball 4.  

2 on, 2 away.  Kerrigan out to the mound.

Bonifacio takes a strike on the outside, 0-1.  Swing and miss, 0-2.  Upstairs, 1-2.  Fouled away, count stays 1-2.  Fouled off again.  And he goes down looking at a called strike 3 on the outside corner.  *phews*

The Fish get 2, but it's 7-2 Pirates as we go to the 8th.

JAL wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:33 PM

All that after 2 quick outs--that's the Hanrahan  the Nats had.

Dejan Kovacevic wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:35 PM

@JAL: It was during the delay, but there are only 16,114 paid here tonight. Far less actual. Orange everywhere.

JAL wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:38 PM

Pirates have 7 runs on 7 hits--that is efficient

macsinthebox wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:39 PM

                I MISSED THE FIRST 6 {Moms B day}  I am guessing Charlies stuff was excellent but struggled with command, am i close?

JAL wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:39 PM

@Dejan

Thanks, so there are a few more than seen but still a lot of orange.

wakerider429 wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:39 PM

Don't the Pirates and Marlins draw about the same?  Even with their horrendous park and our great park?

FormerSoxFan wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:40 PM

It's a bit frustrating, since you see that Hanrahan hits 96-97 consistently, with movement.  Obviously he need to throw more strikes, but I think another issue is one that I had read about after the trade, which was his overreliance on the slider.

On the double that drove in the first Marlins run, he went to the slider even though his fastball was working.  And even though he eventually struck out Bonifacio, he started throwing sliders after getting ahead 0-2, when it seemed clear that Bonifacio couldn't catch up with his fastball.

Having said all this, this is something that can be worked on, and he clearly has the stuff to be a useful guy in the late innings.  Now it's up to Kerrigan to help him reach his potential.

JAL wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:44 PM

FSF

You have Hanrahan's problem  down--great arm just doesn't use it as well as he could.  Good coach should be able to make progress.

DMac wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:44 PM

Grabow was warming in the pen...I would expect to see him in the bottom of the inning.

Brian Sanches is now pitching for the Marlins.

Jones leads off and takes low, ball 1.  In the dirt, 2-0.  Fly ball to CF.  Ross makes the catch for the out.  1 away.

Andy takes low, ball 1.  Catches the outside of the plate, 1-1.  Swing and miss, 1-2.  And he singles up the middle.  

Vazquez steps in and swings and misses, 0-1.  Throw to 1st.  Catches the outside, 0-2.  In the dirt, nice block by Baker, 1-2 to RV...Andy holds at 1st.  Fouled away.  Throw to 1st.  Fly ball to CF...Ross comes in and makes the catch.  2 away.  Andy holds at 1st.

Jaramillo takes outside, 1-0.  Inside, 2-0.  Fly ball to the left side and just bounces behind Bonifacio in foul ground.  2-1.  Catches the outside of the plate, 2-2 count.  Throw to 1st.  Popped up on the INF grass and Cantu makes the catch to retire the side.

JAL wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:47 PM

Fans cheering Morgan in DC for fine running catch--announcers say his defense has saved 2 or 3 runs tonight Still, Braves lead 9-6

G-Man wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:48 PM

from previous thread...

maz -

>>You'll have to go on witness protection though.If you could disguise yourself to be PoH size it would help.<<

Yeah, you have truly "outed me" with that pic. Except how do you know I am not wearing a disguise?

I'd have to shrink myself 1.5 feet to get down to the lovely Mrs. Hope's 5'0" size. But she is the mightiest, pound for pound, you can imagine. At one point last weekend, she gave someone "The Mom Look" and grown men started to cry.

Baywatch wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:48 PM

Groovy picture of The Rainbow, DK ... your wife will be pleased!

DMac wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:51 PM

Grabow is on to pitch for the Bucs.  

Ramirez leads off and takes a ball, 1-0.  Fouled back, 1-1.  Outside, 2-1.  Fouled away, 2-2 count.  Grounded to Jack, throw to Adam.  1 away.

Someone pitched to Pujols again with the bases loaded.  

Cantu flies out to Jones on the 1st pitch.  2 away.

Hermida takes strike 1.  Misses, 1-1.  Swings and misses, 1-2.  Fouled away.  Swings and misses, Jaramillo applies the tag to complete the K.  That ends the inning.

We head to the 9th, 7-2 Pirates.

G-Man wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:54 PM

I've been thinking... With DK learning to take photos with the fancy camera, thus treading ever so lightly on Mrs. DK's territory, it can only be a matter of time before she starts writing for the newspaper to even it up. :-)

JAL wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:57 PM

Who will pitch the 9th?  Usually no Capps with no save

DMac wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 9:59 PM

Renyel Pinto is pitching the 9th for the Fish.

Pearce will PH for Grabow.  He takes, ball 1.  Down and in, 2-0.  Misses again, 3-0.  And he walks on 4 straight.  Leadoff man aboard.

AMac takes a strike, 0-1.  Fouled away, 0-2.  Fouled away again.  Grounded to SS.  Ramirez throws to Uggla to get the force at 2nd and that's all they get.  1 away, AMac at 1st.

Jack takes outside, ball 1.  Poppe dup to the right of 2B.  Uggla makes the catch.  2 away.

Moss takes a strike, 0-1.  Outside, 1-1.  Swings and misses, 1-2.  Swings and misses for the K.  That retires the side.

jersey joe wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 10:02 PM

                     THE PEPPER SHAKER WAS HOT

JAL wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 10:04 PM

Karstens--interesting choice--your long reliever in the closers spot.  

DMac wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 10:10 PM

Karstens is on the hill for the Pirates.

Uggla leads off and takes outside, 1-0.  Low, 2-0. Takes a strike at the knees, 2-1.  Popped up on the right side Adam goes back and just misses making the catch as it drops in foul ground -- that's rare for Adam to miss those.  2-2 count to Uggla.  Fouled away.  Swing and miss for strike 3.  1 away.

Ross takes inside, 1-0.  Takes and it's a called strike, 1-1.  Misses inside, 2-1.  Fly ball to L-CF...it short-hops the wall and Ross is safe at 2nd with a double.  

Baker takes ball 1.  Grounded foul, 1-1.  Fly ball deep to RF and it's outta here for a 2-run shot.  

Umm...Gorz did better in this situation.

Wes Helms is PH-ing and he takes a called strike, 0-1.  Takes again, 0-2.  Outside, 1-2.  Fouled away.  Fouled off again.  Grounded to Vazques...deflected off Karstens' glove...throw to Adam.  2 away.

Coghlan takes a called strike, 0-1.  Fouled away, 0-2.  And he swings and misses for strike 3.  That's game!

SWEEEEEEEEET!  Final score, 7-4 Pirates!

JAL wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 10:13 PM

and the ants go marching================================

buc_fan_in_CT wrote re: Rainbow over Miami
on Fri, Jul 3 2009 10:14 PM

Alright, nice win after that ugly game yesterday. Glad to see Morton finally get a win after having a good start in his past couple.